Dilli Meri Jaan!

I cannot be called a pure breed, true-blood Dilliwala. I have stayed in this megapolis for a decade or so, off and on, and there are quite a few things that I have imbibed in my behaviour, mannerisms and speech which can earn me the coveted (?) tag of being a Dilli ka. For one, I can now behave that I know everyone in the world without overtly faking it.

Haan, haan! Woh toh family friend hain humare. Unke saath toh humesha se uthna-baithna hota hai! Kaam toh batao?!

I can be happy, well mostly outward, and gung-ho about everything at any time of the day.

Arey yaar! Temperature 2 degC ho gaya hai? Koi nai yaar! Dilli ki sardi ka toh.. *shivering*.. jawaab nai hai!

I now know where to get the best butter chicken, what to expect from a sale at a TH store in Karol Bagh and can preempt how much would the rickshaw driver fleece me for a journey to the neighbourhood.

Kya bol rahe ho bhaiya? CP ke liye 60 rupaye? Auto CNG pe chal rahi hai ya ATF pe?


Today, however, standing in front of a glass wall on the 12th floor of a magnificent building overlooking the heart of the city, I realised how much I love this city. With all it's dishonesty and aggression, with it's scalding summers and biting winters, I must confess, looking at Delhi made me realise at that very moment that I could not be at any other place at this point in time. Not that this city is very welcoming to a stranger. No! It's rather very rude to a simpleton. But just the fact that I could see my Dilli through the perspex partition and feel the pulse of the metropolitan throb in sync with mine made me feel very alive.

I have accepted Dilli for what it is, and not what it can be! So what if there are Malmadis and (2G)Bajas in my city? There is hope, and that's what keeps the world going! I don't wish to change the city- for change to be permanent, it should not be sudden.

I looked out at the descending dusk and saw vague images. A few Jessica Lals, a multitude of Nitish Kataras and some Aarushi Talwars.

And I took them all in.

Tide o' Time!

Just yesterday I was packing my sachet and heading out to Bombay, looking forward to some great time gearing up for New Year's. How was I to know that influenza tenatculus would impede the progress of a perfect holiday plan. Oh well! The year ended, and a new 365 has begun. Back to Roorkee at a freezing 2 degC from a cozy 20 something in Bombay did send chills down my spine- quite literally.

The semester started on a sluggish note, as always, with a hope of looking forward to some great good times. Cognizance 2011 is readying itself for a grand show and it feels wonderful to be a part of this mesmerizing fiesta. However, the teeny-weeny complaint that I do have is that time seems to fly past too fast. Before you know it, the night descends and every day flows like water. But I reckon that's why the gurus assert that we should make the most of the 24 at hand. Another check point on the 'to-do' list.

As of now, I want to write a lot. I wish to speak so much. But being in this inertial state, I am compelled to stop. NOW!

I walk down the street.
There is a hole.
I don't see it.
I fall in.
It isn't my fault.
It takes a very long time to get out.

I walk down the same street.
There is still a deep hole.
I pretend not to see it.
I fall in.
I pretend it's still not my fault.
It takes a long time to get out.

I walk down the same street.
There is still the same deep hole.
I see it.
I fall in anyway.
It's a habit.
I get out quicker this time.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole.
I see it.
I walk around it.
I don't fall in.

I walk down a different street.

-- Portia Nelson

Ek Rupeya De-de Baba!

How often have you given a nickel to the beggar on the street? Nickel?! My bad! The Nickel-land does not have beggars. It's only the rupiya and the taka rashtra that has this phenomenon. So anyway, I am not one of those philanthropists who 'have a heart' and flick a coin in the direction of a few tweens begging on the roads. And the reason is that; this coin does not really go into helping them, but is used by their dada to take care of his needs. I always end up counseling these urchins in the following way, "Ye sab kyun kar rahe ho? Sarkari school mein jao aur naam likhao. Kuch kaam kar lo. Vocation centres kitne sare hain.."

Alas! It never helps.

But THAT is not what I intend to elaborate upon. Digressive, me.

We have been doing the rounds of various organisations for the sponsorship of Cognizance 2011 for the past fortnight. Yes, yes! IT is back. Bigger and better (#Cheap Publicity). But as I was meandering my way around the corridors of power, and crawling through the Diplomatic Enclaves, I realised it's a tough job to make someone give you their moolah. Most of the times, they are busy, or not available. Once they do give you half a minute of their useless time, it's all about, "We don't have such provisions for you..". Worse come worse, "We've had a bad experience with such organisations in the past, so never contact us in the future."

So, now I think of these sahebs as variants of myself- the person who is capable of shelling out a chavanni to the needy, but never does so thinking it's futile. Not that this experience is going to change my views of the beggars. I am too old and obstinate for that. Nor am I saying that Cognizance 2011 is going to be a poor show. We've managed a good rakam despite these glitches and there's still oh-so-much-time! But all I am saying is that understanding and sympathy help in making us more human. Humanity is based upon these tenets.

Anywhoo, it's time for us to start our ek rupeya de-de baba routine again!

Article 21

The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive record- a bible- for the Indian Democracy. And if at all there can be a first among equals, the Article 21 of the magnum opus is the most crucial and important to the lives of the People of India.

Article 21: Protection Of Life And Personal Liberty: No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.

Having been a responsible citizen, or so is my belief, I fail understand where does one draw the line between personal freedom, the will to do what one wants without harming others, and the violation of the procedure established by law. As a law abiding citizen of the nation, I am fully aware of my rights and duties. I know that violence should be the last resort- a form of self-defense only. I know that vandalism of public property is a punishable offense. I am aware that contempt of law is unpardonable.

But as an honourable citizen, do I not have the right to live my life according to my choice? Or for that matter, end it if I live the life of a vegetable? Euthanasia is against the law. We cannot travel to some parts of Kashmir, which we are entitled to under the article 21. I understand that there are constraints. It will set an unfavourable precedence. But let us analyze every case on an individual basis and deliberate upon its merits and demerits. As the largest democracy in the world, we have made amendments to the Constitution, and the law. But it is high time that the individual got a say, a platform to voice his desire to live life on his terms.

I can see the India of tomorrow. And I am hopeful that when I talk about the Indian democracy and it's framework a few years from now, I will be proud man.

5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1.. !

I shamelessly copy the status message of an acquaintance from school; December is the time of many countdowns. And that gets me thinking.

For one, the paranoia season ends soon enough in our beloved Malgudi with the 4th day of the last month of this calendar year marking the complete independence of the oppressed junta. Then there is the countdown to the festivities! There's Christmas which is to be relished with family and friends, with a plum cake and good Irish coffee. And finally, there's the end of year celebrations. The culmination of another 365 days of productivity (?) and toil (!). The year always ends on a mixed note- of things learned, and things not learned from.

December marks that time of the year where things are drawing to a close. And you are willing to keep the memories tucked in a safe corner of your being. It marks the end of an era, the beginning of another. The cold lulls you into a comfortable sleep so that the separation from the time-moments does not pain you much.

So, if you have made some promises to 2010, don't procrastinate further. There's still some time, and with ample determination, nothing is impossible! Advancing to the next, look back at this year gone by with a sense of achievement and comfortable satisfaction.

I know you want to.

Interlude

The clocks tick slower when you look at them with a hope of passing over the tide. I have absolutely no idea as to why I am posting on my blog, barely an hour before my end semester exams commence. But as they say, to while away those promiscuous seconds, cultivate a digressive hobby.

After the utterly useless Film & Lit course, I have now come to believe that there is nothing as an 'interesting' subject when it comes to this place. Oh and you say that you are totally into Power Systems Operation using Intel 8086A based module? Yah, right! You bet you are. NOT!

So the 4th day of the last month of this year is when I am free. I leave this place for some good 4 weeks. Only to come back to another semester, another year- with new experiences to be added to the kitty of course. In the interim, there's the famous Delhi winter to look forward to. The Museum of Innocence begs me to lay my hands on it. And I shall oblige, happily at that.

Winding up, I have my pen ready. The books will gradually be shelved in a corner, only to be sold back to Indra Book Depot at 60 percent of the MRP as soon as the turmoil ends. Till then, it's time to sit back, and enjoy the ride.

Good luck, you.

Let there be Light!

Very recently, the time-keeper updated his status message about Rajnikanth and how he spread light to the world. No kidding, but that IS fancy stuff! With all due respect to the Robosapien Uno, it's that time of the year again when every dwelling will glitter spectacularly and there will be bashful celebrations everywhere.

There was a time when Diwali used to be about patakhas, patakhas and only patakhas. The sudden bang of an aloo 'bum' and the joy of seeing an anaar explode into a multitude of colours brought great joy and satisfaction. There's something about crackers that draws people of all ages. Maybe the brightness, or maybe the the chance of being a kid again.

Then there came a time when it was about reinventing the burrow. And we did make our contributions to the bigger picture by cleaning our rooms. Old parchments were discarded, tattered posters unwillingly parted away with. But that's what it is! Diwali makes you new again- if at all that's possible. It's brings hope for something different, something novel, something better.

So as I gather the do-aways of the year gone by, I look forward to yet another spectacular 365 to come. Hope the time to follow is great for me, for you and for everyone else.
Stay safe and spread the light!